Day 3 of ICS-300

Starting out Day-3 of the ICS-300 class on Aloha Friday.

You can see my Aloha shirt peeking out on this cold 34 degree day in Alabama.

Glad to share the work of what our public safety forces do prior to a disaster declaration. In fact, lots needs to get done before a Federal Declaration. We talk about how locals need to work seamlessly with state agencies.

Then we talk about the importance of how states work with our regional partners.

Tailoring the convo to our FEMA employees attending helps them understand the seriousness of our work as incidents get bigger and inevitably into a type-1 disaster.

Making sure you specifically address your audience is critical at being a good instructor.

Tho, I don’t know who is Kevin Kur. Dang it. πŸ˜†

So for those that believe ICS classes are boring, I would contend that you don’t have the right instructor(s). Case in point, who gets cheers and applause at the end of an ICS-300?

Yep. Hello, I’m @rusnivek.

And of course the R9 PIO said we had to do a class Usie so…..

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Say Happy Aloha Friday!!!!! PC: BRT

Reporting live from the Center for Domestic Preparedness….

@rusnivek

IPEM? Yep!

When I was deployed this summer with FEMA for the disaster response in Nebraska, I totally missed the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) awarding me my official Illinois Professional Emergency Manager certification/designation.

Whohooooooooo – IPEM!

Special thanks to DHS/FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for their support in this process.

Reporting live from Illinois…

@MEPIrusnivek πŸ˜†

Already December 2018? Are you serious?!?!?

How in the world is it December already!

First week will be several NIMS/ICS courses for our County ESF-3 partners, few other Emergency Management courses for IL Region-9, and a Emergency Management/Health Department functional exercise w/ our CERT Teams for medication POD distribution.

Second week our office is hosting another FEMA G0289: PIO Awareness course and then a fun PIO Workshop at ABC7-Chicago on Friday.

Third week will be the FEMA G0290/G0291: Basic PIO Course and JIC/JIS course. Without a doubt a full class w/ wait list. Glad to finally nail this one for all of our partners in public safety, Cheers for Murray and Corey for championing this for everyone too.

Fourth week appears to be Christmas so likely yearly closeouts and wrap ups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeowza. Honestly, I can’t believe 2019 is right around the corner.

@rusnivek

Can Sharknado be real? Easy answer is…

It’s Wednesday – so on this fine hump day, I bring you this hump of a disaster…

…more like a movie that is a disaster. I can confirm, Sharknado isn’t real.

The possibility of a sharks flying around in a tornado are incredibly rare.

Don’t be a bozo.

@rusnivek

 

To my fellow Americans….Happy 4th of July! #2018

To my fellow Americans….Happy 4th of July!!!

Cleveland, Ohio - 4th of July!

Cleveland, Ohio – 4th of July!

Here’s a few easy preparedness tips from the team at FEMA.

  • Leave the fireworks to the pros.
  • Keep children & pets at least 3 ft from grills & campfires.
  • Drink plenty of water – even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Check in on friends, family, & neighbors who don’t air conditioning.

And for those who are stuck inside/have to work, here’s a few fun option for you.

Maybe NYC is better?

No? How about Chicago?

Well, whatever you do, just keep it real safe everyone.

Happiest birthday to the greatest country in the world. #USA

America the beautiful.

@rusnivek

 

Run like hell?!?! #Fireworks

I’m no genius, but if your fireworks say this…

…then you likely could get hurt. So please PLEASE be careful this 4th of July holiday.

Also, fireworks are expensive. Leave it to the pros.

Here’s a quick news story with my friend Euclid Fire Capt Jay Northup on the dangers of fireworks who was injured a few months ago in NE Ohio. (click on the picture)

Fire Captain Jay Northup suffered a severe head injury, two ruptured eardrums, second-degree burns, and multiple bruises and cuts requiring 35 stitches after an accident involving fireworks. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

Fire Captain Jay Northup suffered a severe head injury, two ruptured eardrums, second-degree burns, and multiple bruises and cuts requiring 35 stitches after an accident involving fireworks. /Β AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

Again, I would highly recommend that you leave the fireworks to the pros.

@rusnivek

March 2018 comes marching right in!

March is…well marching in!

The first and second weeks will be dominated by serious meetings with government leadership, senior staff,Β and EM coordinators. And as usual we will likely have a few ad hoc meetings w/ DoD types and partner agencies.

Third week will be the FEMA basic academy in Columbus at the mothership (Ohio EMA). Shout out to Region-5!

Fourth week, for a hot minute, I’ll be presenting at the State of Georgia Conference on crisis communications and social media in emergencies. Region 4 baby!

Strategic month as we plan for upcoming events.

@rusnivek

The FEMA #PIO on #PirateRadio! Is that real? #FBF

I was asked if Pirate Radio was real….yeppers!


Pirate Radio based in the Florida Keys-Key West has a strong voice that not only hits audiences throughout the keys, but also into southern Florida too. They stream their shows so that any Pirate can listen in…even when yer a landlubber!


I was a regularly contributor to their morning shows with daily Hurricane Irma disaster updates. We also brought other public safety agencies in with us to showcase the unified efforts of countless government agencies involved and how we are all working together in the response/recovery effort.


Additionally, I was invited to be a regular guest on their Friday morning show to talk about the DHS/FEMA response and recovery efforts for the Florida Keys. Not only talking about the Florida Keys, but also the millions of $$ in financial support approved for the State of Florida.


Remember, AM/FM radio stations are a critical source of information in a disaster. After a disaster, cell service might be down, sat tv might be out, and it is highly likely that your neighborhood may not have power. Post-disaster, plan on AM/FM radio being a solid source of information.

Many mahalos to both gracious Pirate Radio hosts – Jack and Kim!

@rusnivek